Hanging bracket for plural tracks



T. R. SHEETZ HANGING BRACKET FOR PLURAL TRACKS April 19, 1955 3 Shee'ts-Sheet l Filed may 3. 1954 Ii INVENTOR.

T. R. SHEETZ V HANGING BRACKET FOR PLURAL TRACKS A ril 19, 1955 5 SheetsSheet 2 Filed May 3, 1954 v INVENTOR.

. April 19, 1955 H T 2,706,306

HANGING BRACKET FOR PLURAL TRACKS Filed May 3, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent HANGING BRACKET FOR PLURAL TRACKS Thomas R. Sheetz, San Francisco, Calif.

Application May 3, 1954, Serial No. 426,965

2 Claims. (Cl. 16-94) This application is a continuation-inpart of my copending application No. 293,112, filed June 12, 1952, now abandoned.

The invention relates to a new improved hanging bracket combination particularly adapted to a screen system mostly used for screening beds in hospitals. In order to enclose a space such as that occupied by a bed, I invented a new kind of a hanging bracket combination for a screen system suspended above the space to be screened, such as a cubicle for a hospital bed. The curtains are suspended from a suspended track and are preferably of such length as to clear the floor. The track is so arranged that a single curtain may screen three sides of a space against a wall. The track generally includes one or more arcuate sections of sufficient radius, arranged to be connected to straight or other curved track sections, to provide a track of the desired form.

The means for suspending the track from the ceiling and to side wall is so arranged as to permit certain hooks traveling on the track to pass points of suspension freely, so that a single curtain may, if preferred, serve to completely enclose three sides of a cubicle, the fourth side being the wall.

Where several adjacent spaces are to be screened the track is so arranged that a single curtain forming part of one cubicle screen, serves to screen two sides of the cubicle enclosure, a curtain forming part of a screen for the adjacent cubicle, screening the third side of the first cubicle; hence, a minimum amount of curtain material is required where there are adjacent cubicles to be screened.

The drawings shown for illustrative purposes of the invention, are:

Fig. 1 is an illustrative plan view illustrating a screen system for a plurality of adjacent cubicles;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the system shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an arcuate or curved track section, together with a straight track section and suspension means for the two track sections;

Fig. 4 illustrates a stop flange in section, in end of track;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the flanged end of Fig. 6,

Fig. 6 is a side view of the 45 degree curved track, with joint lug for a straight track support, being an extension part of the hanging bracket combination;

Fig. 7 is a side view in partial section of a wall socket, together with a wall bracket for a straight track;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of an arcuate or curved track, together with a straight track suspension means for; the two tracks, showing the curved straight track suspension support, reversed from its position illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a side view in partial section of the hanging bracket, and ceiling socket, with suspension tube attached to the socket and the bracket, illustrating the roller hook on the curved track;

Fig. 10 is a front view of Fig. 9 with curved track, showing the roller hook at right-angle position;

Fig. 11 is a plan view in partial section of the hanging bracket, together with the 45 degree curved track, having a lug for a straight track and roller hook at base of the incline; also a roller hook on the curved track;

Fig. 12 is an end view in partial section of the flanged part of the 45 degree curved straight rod attachment, illustrated in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view in section of the flange at bottom of incline, illustrated in Fig. 11, showing the roller hooks in the recesses.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, 1213-14 inditil.

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cate three of a plurality of adjacent spaces or cubicles to be screened; generally these spaces are occupied by hospital ward beds 11. A plurality of tracks 17 of which the back end of each track is secured to the wall by a wall or ceiling socket 15, and the free end is secured to the curved track, forming an L, to which the free end of the track 7 is secured and terminates adjacent the arcuate or curved track of the next adjacent L track, as illustrated. The free end of track 7 and the curved track of the next adjacent L track are suspended by a suspension tube, or rod 23, by means which will be described hereafter. The suspension means at this point is so arranged as to permit the free passage of curtain hooks 1010, carrying curtain 8. The curtain 8 is of a length to extend from the wall along the track 17 around the curved track and track 7, up to a point adjacent to the curved-track section of the next adjacent track. The curtain 18 on the next adjacent track is generally of the same length as the curtain 8. For closing the cubicle 13 the curtain 8 is engaged for enclosing two sides defined by track sections 17 and 7 of the cubicle, while the curtain 18 of the next adjacent track is drawn outward from the wall so as to enclose the third side. Curtains, when not in use, may be drawn back on each track until they are in place against the wall. All of the curtains are of such length as to be amply clear of the floor. The roller hook illustrated in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 is merely to show a hook adaptable to my screen system. In the hanging bracket combination shown suspended by tube 23, Fig. 2, the arcuate L-curved track is secured to the extending leg of the hanging bracket 5, underneath, at 6.

The 45 degree curved track 4 is secured to the hanging bracket 5, by cap screws 30, see Fig. 3, and the free end of the straight track 7 is connected thereto. The hooks carrying the curtain on the straight track 7 drop down the incline of the 45 degree curved track 4, illustrated in Fig. 2 in a horizontal position, as in use, and are held there by gravity in shallow recesses, fully shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13.

Fig. 3 is a top view plan of the hanging bracket combination, suspended from the ceiling by tube 23, see Fig. 2, and secured to the ceiling socket 15 by screw 17. The curved track 26 is secured underneath at 9 to leg 38, see Fig. 9, by screw 20. Each curved track section 26 has an adapter sleeve 3, secured at each end and extended beyond the end so as to receive and support the end of a straight track. Sleeve 3 is secured to the curved track 26 and straight track 2, by screws 20; the free end of the straight track 2 is secured to the wall socket 15 by screw 17. The hanging bracket 5 is secured to tube 23 at 25, see Fig. 9, by screw 17. The hanging bracket 5 at 27 illustrates a convex arc to which is secured the 45 degree curved track 4, at the concave are 28, by two cap screws 30. In the concave are 28 the holes 31 are oblong, see Fig. 5, permitting the concaved flanged end 28 of curved track 4 to rotate sufficiently to automatically align itself (before tightening cap screws with the straight track 32, secured to the 45 degree curved track 4, at the joint lug 33, by screw 20. The free end of the straight track 32 is secured to the wall bracket 15 by screw 17 Fig. 4 is a view in partial section of a flanged stop 21, having a lug 22 which is secured to straight track 18, by screw 20, see Fig. 7.

Fig. 5 is a view of the concaved flange 28, with oblong holes 31, of the 45 degree curved track 4, see Fig. 6, providing a suitable means of securing curved track 4 to the hanging bracket 5, at the convex joint 27, by cap screws 30. The oblong holes of the concaved flange 28 provide ample space for the concaved flange of 4, to rotate sufficiently to permit the straight aligning with the straight track secured thereto, removing all strain at joints and bulging of the straight track out of line.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the 45 degree curved track 4, with connecting lug joint 33, illustrating the concaved flange 28. The recesses 35 are provided for the roller hook to roll into, so as to be held by gravity at the base of the concaved flange 28 and the end of the incline, as illustrated in Fig. 11. The side view position of the degree curved track 4, is shown in the same position as when in use, when secured to the convex are 27 of the hanging bracket 5, by cap screws 30.

Fig. 7 is a side view in partial section of'the wall bracket 16, secured to a wall socket 15, by screw 17. There are preferably two of these brackets secured to the wall, in a row, with the straight track 18, secured to the leg 19 of both brackets by screw 20, thereby removing any swaying motion at the curved end of the track. The extending free end of the straight track 18, extending beyond the bracket 16, Where secured to leg 19 by screw 20, is provided with the flanged stop 21, see Fig. 4, thus preventing the roller hooks, carrying curtain, from dropping off.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the hanging bracket combination illustrating the curved track 26 secured to the hanger at 9. The 45 degree angle curved track 4 is shown in a reverse position from that shown in Fig. 3, thereby extending the straight track, secured thereto, in an opposite direction of 90 degrees, or at right angles from the former position.

Fig. 9 is a side view in partial section of the hanging bracket 5, suspended from the ceiling by tube 23, secured to the ceiling socket by screw 17, and to the hanging bracket 5 at 25, by screw 17. The leg 38 of the hanging bracket 5 is shown secured to the curved track 26, or a straight track, preferably at the center of a long straight track for support from sagging, by the screw 20. The roller hook 10 is shown on the track how it freely passes the hanger connection.

. Fig. 10 is a front view of the hanging bracket 5, illustrating more clearly the securing of the curved track 26, to the leg 38, or a straight track, by screw also showing the position of the tapped holes 29 for the cap screw 30, see Fig. 11. The roller hook 10 is shown at right angles from its position in Fi g. 9.

Fig. 11 is a side view in partial section of the hanging bracket combination, to which my invention applies, illustrating the hanging bracket 5 in a vertical position, secured to the 45 degree curved track 4 in a horizontal position; both positions are the same as when in use. The hanging bracket 5 shows the curved track 26, secured at 38 by screw 20, shows roller hook 10 when passing over curved track 26. The 45 degree curved track 4, with lug 33, is a joint connection, see Fig. 3, at joint 33. At 35, of the 45 degree curved track 4, starting at full diameter a sloping incline on top and bottom tapers down to the point 36, and at the base of the flange 28 are four recesses, 3737, two on top and two on the bottom, see Fig. 12 in section. The position of the roller hook 10 in the recesses 37-37 is shown in Fig. 13. The roller hook 10 is shown in recesses 37-37 at the lower end of the incline 36, at the base of the flange 28, of the 45 degree curved track 4. The concaved flange 28 of curved track 4, see Fig. 3, is secured to the convex arc of the hanging bracket 5 at 27, by cap screws 3030, screwed in tapped holes 2929 of convex arc 27. The concave arc of the flange 28 has oblong holes 31, see Fig. 5, permitting the degree curved track 4 to rotate and automatically align itself in line with straight track, to the next adjacent hanging bracket, or to the wall without strain on the joints or bulging of the straight track.

The convex are of 27 and the concave arc of 28 have the same radius, permitting self-aligning by a slight rotate movement. The roller hook 10, in recesses 37, can be readily withdrawn by pulling on the curtain attached thereto. The curtain on the roller hooks 10, in the recesses 37 at bottom of the incline 36, are held securely by gravity in their position, close to the roller hooks carrying a curtain on the adjacent curved track 26, of the hanger 5, thereby bringing the folds of the two different curtains close together, overlapping each other by the intermeshing of the curtain folds, making it impossible to see through at this junction of the curtains, from the outside or the inside.

Fig. 12 is an end view in section of the flange 28, of the 45 degree curved track 4, showing the recesses 37-37 and the full diameter of the fitting 4 at 35, and the oblong holes 31, see Fig. 5.

Fig. 13 is an end view in section of the form shape of the recesses 37-37, top and bottom, and position of the roller hook; 40 shows the oval incline being full width across, horizontally, same as the full diameter at 35, of the 45 degree curved track 4, see Fig. 11.

My invention has been described in its many advantages, in a hanging bracket combination for a screening system having tubular tracks, and curved tracks, for suspended support from the ceiling and wall. There are many changes, additions or omissions, that may be made within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A bracket for use in a screen system made up of L-shaped track sections, one leg of each L-shaped track section being secured to a wall and the other leg thereof terminating adjacent to the bight of the adjacent track section, such bight being formed as an arcuate bend, said bracket comprising: a first part including a plate member, one major face of which has an arcuate surface, and an arm extending transversely from said plate member from the side thereof opposite said arcuate surface, the distal end of said arm being adapted to be secured to the bight portion of a first L-shaped track section for supporting the same; a second part including a second plate member, one major face of which has an arcuate surface, and an arm extending transversely from said second plate member from the side thereof opposite said arcuate surface, said last mentioned arc being adapted to be secured to the distal end of one leg of a second L-shaped track section for supporting the same, one of said arcuate surfaces being convex and the other being concave and both arcuate surfaces having the same radius of curvature; and means securing said first part and said second part together with said arcuate surface in contact, said means and said arcuate surfaces cooperating to allow adjustment of one of said parts with respect to the other and to allow said parts to be rigidly secured together in adjusted position, one of said parts being adapted to be suspended from a ceiling.

2. A bracket as defined in claim 1, the arm of said second part being wedged shaped with the smaller end thereof integral with said second plate member, the upper face of said arm of said second plate member extending upwardly and outwardly from said second plate member when said second plate member is positioned vertically as when in use and said upper face being recessed adjacent said second plate member so that a curtain hook mounted thereon will tend to position itself in said recesses by gravity, against said second plate member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 880,865 Davis Mar. 3, 1908 1,514,867 Solosabal et al. Nov. 11, 1924 2,008,579 Day July 16, 1935 2,045,007 Carpenter June 23, 1936 2,652,586 Ramsberger Sept. 22, 1953 

